Word Origin & History

breathless late 14c., "unable to breathe," from breath + -less. Meaning "out of breath, panting" is from mid-15c. Used from 1590s in the sense "dead." Meaning "forgetting to breathe due to excitement, awe, anticipation, etc." is recorded from 1802. Related: Breathlessly

Example Sentences for breathless

It is only the true lover to whom the breathing form is as sacred as the breathless.

There was a sort of breathless touch in the air of the room.

Kitty dropped on the floor at Helen's feet; the hush in the room was breathless.

A crowd of silent men had gathered about the box in a breathless wait.

The Countess, breathless from dancing, burst in upon the little group.

We worked like demons in hell, and in an atmosphere almost as hot and breathless.

Miss Susan spread open the sheets with an air of breathless delight.

Breathless, at last he paused at the top of the third flight.

The lagging crowd of listeners paused, breathless, to lose no word.

Woburn had broken down the door, and stood torn and breathless in the breach.